About Columbus

Premier Sports Destination

Columbus is well positioned to be one of the leading sports destinations in the United States. As the capital of Ohio and the 15th largest city in the United States, Columbus is located in the heart of the Midwest and within a day’s drive (550 miles) of nearly half of the nation’s population. Columbus is at the crossroads of interstates 70 (east-west) and 71 (north-south), which makes the city highly accessible by car.

Port Columbus International Airport is 10 minutes from downtown and is served by major airlines offering more than 140 daily nonstop departures to 32 airports.

Columbus has a hotel package that offers plenty of rooms and a wide range of prices. Downtown Columbus features 14 hotels and 3,800 rooms, including 2,950 that are committable to groups. There are also 2,092 hotel rooms that attached to or adjacent to the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The downtown hotel package is just part of the 21,355 hotel rooms located in Franklin County.

City on the Rise

Columbus has a stability that’s envied by many cities. It’s a perfect balance between professionals looking to start a family or a career at companies like Victoria’s Secret, Nationwide, AEP, Huntington, Abercrombie, Scotts, Honda or Cardinal Health and an annual influx of 120,000 college students with an energetic vibe. The city is younger, smarter and more open than almost any other place in America, but maintains its cool without a lot of attitude. Residents know that on any given night they can eat at a Dine Originals Columbus restaurant, while living in the hometown of Wendy’s and White Castle.

Diversity and Creativity

Columbus has become the most diverse city in the Midwest. More than 70 languages are represented within our community’s school systems. We are one of the most GLBT-friendly cities in the country. We have cultivated a creative class that gives Columbus texture and brings forth a rich cultural mix of assets. We have attracted leaders from all walks of life in the fields of education, medicine, business and technology.

Business Innovation and Education

Columbus is home to 15 Fortune 1000 companies and welcomes one of the highest populations of college students among our 50+ university and college campuses, ensuring that we maintain our youth and progressiveness. We are one of the leading research and tech cities in America, home to institutions like Battelle, Chemical Abstracts, and the IBM Client Center: Analytics Solutions Lab, a first of its kind center that will draw the best and brightest minds in technology.

Top Attractions

Our embrace of freethinking isn’t found just in the business community. Our love of new ideas and the people who have them can be found in the critically acclaimed attractions you’ll find in every corner of the city. In fact, independent rankings have cited Columbus for having the #1 zoo (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium), the #1 public library (Columbus Metropolitan Library), the #1 science center (COSI) and even the #1 ice cream (Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams).

Arts and Culture

Columbus also features world-class cultural attractions such as the Wexner Center for the Arts, the Columbus Museum of Art and Thurber House, as well as unique entertainment options like Shadowbox Live, Available Light Theatre and MadLab Theatre and Gallery. The Short North Arts District distinguishes Columbus as a vibrant arts city and hosts the popular Gallery Hop and HighBall Halloween events that attract thousands of people. Our homegrown culinary options are unique, diverse and accessible to all.

For information on all of our unique districts, attractions, entertainment, restaurants, and shopping, visit Experience Columbus.
For information on our business community and economic development efforts, visit The Columbus Region.